U.S. patent number 5,628,338 [Application Number 08/639,848] was granted by the patent office on 1997-05-13 for collapsible blind.
Invention is credited to Steven W. Stumbo.
United States Patent |
5,628,338 |
Stumbo |
May 13, 1997 |
Collapsible blind
Abstract
A portable and collapsible blind or shelter which includes an
integral fabric cover having four side walls and a top. Each side
wall includes at least one window. One corner of the structure
includes a vertical opening to permit ingress and egress from the
structure. Each side wall, and the top, is supported in a taut
condition by a support member having four resilient and flexible
legs connected to a central hub. The perimeter of each side wall
and the top is non-stretchable. The legs can pivot away from the
hub to collapse the blind structure.
Inventors: |
Stumbo; Steven W. (LaPorte,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
24565810 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/639,848 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/147; 135/153;
135/901 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H
15/40 (20130101); Y10S 135/901 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04H
15/34 (20060101); E04H 15/40 (20060101); E04H
015/48 () |
Field of
Search: |
;135/135,147,148,151,157,153,159,901,900,902 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mai; Lanna
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Edmundson; Dean P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable and collapsible blind or shelter structure
comprising:
(a) a flexible fabric cover having four side walls and a top;
wherein each side wall includes at least one window opening;
wherein each said side wall includes opposite side edges and a top
edge; wherein side edges of adjacent side walls are integral with
each other; and further including a closable vertical opening along
one of said side edges; wherein the perimeter of each side wall and
the top is non-stretchable; and
(b) a framework comprising five support members; wherein each said
support member comprises four resilient leg members hingedly
connected at one end to a central hub; wherein one said support
member engages and supports a respective side wall in a taut
condition; wherein one said support member engages and supports
said top; and wherein said leg members connected to each said hub
can be pivoted towards each other to collapse said structure.
2. A structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each side wall
is generally square.
3. A structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each said side
wall includes four corners; and further comprising a pocket secured
in each said corner for slidably receiving one of said leg
members.
4. A structure in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
flap covering each said window; wherein said flap is movable
between open and closed positions.
5. A structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said vertical
opening includes a zipper.
6. A structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said leg members
extend outwardly from said central hub at 90.degree. relative to
each other.
7. A portable and collapsible blind or shelter structure
comprising:
(a) a flexible, integral fabric cover having four generally-square
side walls and a top; wherein each side wall includes at least one
window opening; and further including a closable vertical opening
along one vertical corner of said structure; wherein the perimeter
of each side wall and th etop is non-stretchable; and
(b) framework comprising five support members; wherein each said
support member comprises four resilient leg members hingedly
connected at one end to a central hub; wherein one said support
member engages and supports a respective side wall in a taut
condition; wherein one said support member engages and supports
said top; and wherein said leg members connected to each said hub
can be pivoted towards each other to collapse said structure.
8. A structure in accordance with claim 7, wherein each said side
wall includes four corners; and further comprising a pocket secured
in each said corner for slidably receiving one of said leg
members.
9. A structure in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a
flap covering each said window; wherein said flap is movable
between open and closed positions; and wherein said vertical
opening includes a zipper.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to portable and collapsible shelters for use
by sportsmen. More particularly, this invention relates to portable
and collapsible blinds for use by hunters, photographers, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hunters, photographers, bird watchers, etc. often desire or have a
need to remain hidden from view of wildlife they are observing or
pursuing. Although permanent blinds or shelters have been used for
this purpose, the lack of portability of the structures is a
significant disadvantage.
Portable tents and similar shelters have been available for a long
time and they can also be used as blinds. However, some of such
structures are difficult or cumbersome to carry and set up when
needed. Other of such structures are not suitable as blinds. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,680 describes a ground tent having
four sides and a top, with a plurality of poles having a
spring-biased foot subassembly supporting a fabric cover. Such a
structure is not practical for use as a blind and it is
time-consuming to set up when needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,505 describes a portable and collapsible tent
having four walls, a floor and a domed ceiling. This structure is
not suitable for use as a blind.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,026,312 and 3,941,140 describe a foldable
free-standing tent having ends walls, a floor, and side walls which
slope upwardly to a peak. This structure is cumbersome to set up
and is not suitable as a blind.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,235 describes a portable shelter which is
sphere-shaped and requires several supporting poles or rods. It is
cumbersome to set up and take down and would not be suitable for
use as a blind in the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,809 describes a van tent, i.e., a tent-like
extension for attachment to the rear of a van. This structure is
useful as a shelter for workmen who require easy access to their
van for tools and materials and who do not desire to go out into
the elements while working. This structure is not at all suitable
as a temporary blind in the field because it requires a van to
support it.
There has not heretofore been provided a light-weight portable,
easily collapsible blind or shelter having the combined features of
the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
portable, collapsible shelter or blind structure which is extremely
useful for use by hunters, photographers and nature observers who
desire to remain hidden in the field. In a preferred embodiment the
structure comprises:
(a) a flexible fabric cover having four sides and a top; wherein
each side includes at least one window opening; and
(b) a framework comprising five support members; wherein each
support member comprises four resilient rods connected at one end
to a central hub; wherein the rods extend radially outward from the
hub and are spaced generally equidistantly around the hub.
The perimeter of the fabric cover must be non-elastic and
non-stretchable. This may be accomplished by incorporating a
non-stretchable cord (or stitching) into the fabric along the
perimeter of each side of each side wall and top section.
Each support member is adapted to hold one side or wall of the
structure in a taut condition, with each rod extending from the
central hub to one corner of the wall or side. The distance from
the end of one rod to the end of a diametrically opposite rod on
the same hub is slightly greater than the distance from one corner
of a wall to the diametrically opposite corner of the same wall.
This enables the support member to be urged to an over-center
position where the rods are slightly bowed outwardly and the
tension of the wall fabric holds the support member in a taut and
bowed condition. A similar support member is also used to hold the
ceiling in a taut condition.
An openable doorway is positioned vertically at one corner of the
blind or shelter to enable ingress and egress. Closure means such
as a zipper is used to close the opening.
There is no need for a floor in the blind.
The blind or shelter is self-contained and can be quickly and
easily collapsed for easy transport. It can also be set up very
quickly and easily with a minimum of time.
Other advantages of the blind or shelter of this invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
portable, collapsible blind of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of pole and
hub structure useful in the invention;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pole and hub structure
shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing an inside corner of the blind
structure; and
FIG. 5 shows the blind of FIG. 1 in its collapsed position for
storage or transport.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings there is shown a portable, collapsible blind or
shelter 1 of the invention. The blind comprises an integral fabric
cover 3 having four side walls and a ceiling or roof whose side
edges are securely attached or sewn to the upper edges 2 of the
side walls.
Preferably the side walls are generally square. The ceiling or top
section is also preferably square.
Each side wall, and the ceiling, is supported or held in a taut
condition by means of a support member 6. Each support member
comprises four resilient legs or rods 6A whose inner ends are
pivotably or hingedly attached to a central hub 7. Preferably the
legs or rods are of the same length (when the walls are square).
The outer end of each rod or leg is slidably received in a sleeve
or pocket 8 sewn or secured to the wall fabric at each corner (as
shown in FIG. 4).
A non-stretchable string or cord 3A must be sewn along each side
edge of each wall section and also along each side edge of the top
section. Alternatively, it is possible to use non-stretchable
thread to stitch around the perimeter of each side wall section and
also the perimeter of the top section.
Each wall includes at least one window 4 to enable viewing through
the wall by a person positioned inside the blind. Preferably each
window includes a flap or cover 4A which can be opened to enable
viewing through the window. One such cover 4A is shown in FIG. 1,
but preferably each window includes this feature. The cover or slap
4A can be secured, for example, along its bottom edge to the side
wall (e.g., by stitching) and can be held in a closed position over
the window by hook and loop fasteners 4B or other suitable
fasteners (e.g., buttons, snaps, etc.).
The rods 6A are resilient and flexible and their inner ends are
secured in tubular receivers 7A on hub 7. Each receiver is hinged
to the hub by a pin 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the receivers 7A can
pivot through an angle of 90.degree. from a position parallel to
the plane of the hub to a folded position (as shown in dotted lines
in FIG. 3). Thus, the hub prevents the receivers, and therefore the
legs 6A, from pivoting past the plane of the hub.
One way of making the blind structure is to make four side wall
sections and a top section and then stitch abutting side wall edges
together. The side edges of the top section can then be stitched to
the top edge of each side wall section. By using non-stretchable
thread, or by incorporating or non-stretchable cord or string into
all edges of each section, the wall sections and the top section
are prevented from stretching when the support members are
inserted. Then when the support members are urged to their
outwardly bowed condition, the tautness of the cover tends to
maintain the support members in the desired over-center condition
to support the blind in an upright position.
A zipper is incorporated in one corner of the structure where two
side walls meet. The zipper is stitched in place with
non-stretchable thread. The leg members must flex in order to
enable the door opening to expand for ingress and egress. When the
zipper is in an open position, the fabric adjacent the opening can
be pulled slightly away from the opening (which results in widening
of the opening as the pegs flex).
As illustrated in the drawings, the blind is set up by first
positioning the legs of each support member in a respective sleeve
or pocket at one of the corners of a wall section. The same
procedure is used with respect to the support member for the
ceiling or top section. Then the hub of each support member is
pushed outwardly toward the wall to force the hub through a center
position to an over-center position. The same procedure is used
with respect to the ceiling or top. FIG. 1 illustrates one of the
support members prior to passing through dead center to the
outwardly bowed over-center position.
The size of the blind may vary, as desired. The legs or rod members
may also vary in size. Preferably the legs are comprised of
fiberglass or other material which is resilient and flexible and
capable of holding the fabric in a taut condition when the support
member is forced into a bowed condition, as shown in the
drawings.
The blind structure of the invention is fully self-supporting and
does not require stakes or other components in order to be held in
an upright condition. The structure is erected or set up by one
person very rapidly leaving the person inside the structure when
the sides and top are popped into their expanded form or condition.
Although stakes can be used to stabilize the structure in windy
conditions, for normal use it is not necessary to use stakes
because the structure is self-supporting and stable.
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